St Valery, Beulah Hill, London SE19

This bright, two-bedroom garden apartment forms part of a handsome Grade II-listed Victorian villa in Upper Norwood, a short walk from Crystal Palace. Generously proportioned and designed for open-plan living, the interiors are characterised by high ceilings, original period features, and abundant storage. The house has direct access to a communal garden at the rear, vibrantly planted with mature trees and perennials.



The Tour



The apartment sits on the ground floor of St Valery, a Gothic villa built in the 1880s, set back from the street behind a low brick wall and neat hedging. The yellow and red brick façade is punctuated by a combination of slender sash and casement windows, some of which are topped by pointed heads in the tradition of the Gothic revival style. Outside the front of the building is a dedicated off-street parking space.



A blue plaque affixed to the façade celebrates Pickles the dog, who catapulted to fame in 1966 for recovering the stolen Jules Rimet World Cup trophy just outside the house. Well-maintained flower beds and shrubs frame the main entrance to the side of the building, with level access throughout.



Behind this apartment's front door is a short hallway that gives way to an open-plan reception area at the centre of the plan, encompassing the kitchen and versatile living space. High ceilings and a large bay with access to the garden lend an exceptional sense of volume, drawing in natural light throughout the day. Crisp white walls are complemented by original cornices, and warm-toned oak flooring extends underfoot.



The L-shaped kitchen lies to one side of the space, with plywood units, white Formica work surfaces and a blue and white tiled splashback. Practical terracotta tiles stretch across the cooking area. Integrated appliances include a Baumatic gas hob and a washing machine and double oven, both from Bosch.



A cast-iron fireplace with fruit and floral-themed blue tiling and white-painted surrounds lends period character, while the dining area subtly delineates distinct living zones. The sitting room is anchored by a substantial bay area with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and sash windows that frame views of the ever-changing foliage while inviting in natural light.



Accessible from the reception area, the principal bedroom feels secluded and quiet. The walls are painted in 'Cooking Apple Green' by Little Greene, creating a sense of continuity between outdoors and inside. Separated by a door, a practical walk-in wardrobe provides generous storage space.



A minimally detailed en suite has a modern feel and is well-appointed with white tiles and matt black finishes, with grey concrete-tiled flooring. A large walk-in shower is divided by smart Crittall-style screens.



Equally spacious, the second bedroom currently serves as a children’s room, finished with white-painted walls and warm-toned floorboards. A green-painted sash window adds a playful touch to the space, with leafy views of the garden. A generous built-in wardrobe and additional overhead shelving provide more storage.



A bright shared bathroom is simply decorated with white metro tiles and exposed floorboards. A delicate glass-stained window adds a colourful accent to the space. There is a large bathtub and fitted shelving.



Outdoor Space



The reception room opens onto a generous paved terrace, with plenty of space for an outdoor dining area - perfect for easy entertaining in the warmer months. In one corner is a sequestered seating spot, ideal for reading in the shade. An expansive grassy lawn extends beyond the terrace, bordered by mature trees and perennials, with timber screens that enhance its private feel.



The Area



A popular area of south London, Crystal Palace was named The Sunday Times' 'Best Places to Live in London' in 2022, and included in Lonely Planet’s list of ‘greatest little-known neighbourhoods in the world’.



The nearby Crystal Palace ‘Triangle’ has a wide range of independent restaurants and cafés, alongside well-curated vintage and antique stores. There is also an Everyman cinema in a carefully restored art deco building.



Local favourites include Four Hundred Rabbits and Yard Sale for sourdough pizza, the Sourcing Table for wine and charcuterie, and Urban Orient for Vietnamese. Brown & Green café serves a delicious brunch, while Palazzo is the go-to for Italian dining. Four Boroughs is a superb local coffee spot.



The historic Crystal Palace Park with its Italian terraces, maze, concert bowl, and world-famous dinosaur sculptures, is just a short walk away. Slightly further afield are the formal gardens of The Rookery in Streatham and the beautiful expanses of Sydenham Wells Park and Dulwich Park.



The area has plenty of schooling options. Rockmount Primary School and St Joseph’s RC Junior School are both a short walk away, while for secondary education, The Cedars School, The Norwood School, and Harris City Academy Crystal Palace are also close.



The apartment is well served by buses that provide regular routes across London. Gipsy Hill railway station is a short bus ride away, connecting to Victoria and London Bridge respectively in around 25 minutes. Norwood Junction is also nearby and runs services to King's Cross St Pancras. There is also easy access to the M25.



Tenure: Share of Freehold / Lease Length: Approx. 991 years remaining / Service Charge: Approx. £2,650 per annum / Ground Rent: Approx. £150 a year / Council Tax Band: D